A 32-year old Reokeditswe Tlhapane who became a beneficiary of the NW/IDC Nguni Cattle Development project in 2008, will tomorrow, Friday 1 November, be amongst a group of four beneficiaries who will be returning the loaned indigenous Nguni cows back to the project.
Tlhapane who has 400 hectares of land in Modikwe, Brits, received 23 Nguni heifers and a bull in May 2008, and has managed to increase the number of this breed to 72. She will as part of the 5-year contract obligation, return back to the project 11 heifers and a bull, and remain with 60.
Tlhapane says as a young female farmer, she is grateful for the support and advices provided by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and its partners, as that enabled her to efficiently manage her only agricultural project, thus growing by leaps and bounds. As the sole owner of the farm, Tlhapane has employed two workers who look after the cows.
The MEC for Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Desbo Mohono, says the commitment shown by Tlhapane and other beneficiaries of this project is encouraging, as all of them are successful. “Our observation is that while the Province has been struck by drought which affected the majority of our livestock, this breed has despite this condition, thrived. The cows we are taking back to the project for distribution to other new beneficiaries remain in good condition, since this indigenous breed is known for its ability to withstand harsh conditions and livestock diseases”, emphasised MEC Mohono.
The NW/IDC Nguni Cattle Development project started in 2006 as a tripartite partnership between the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Industrial Development Corporation and the North West University (Mafikeng Campus) in an attempt to re-introduce the Nguni breed back into the province.
The project is again aimed at empowering developing farmers with livestock farming skills and developing their entrepreneurship abilities.
Other beneficiaries who are set to return the 12 loaned cows this week are Peabro Farming Cc in Stella, Learamele Nguni Cattle Farming Trust in Leeudoringstad and Nguni Five from Ottoshoop, who have also managed to increase their respective livestock numbers to more than 80.
To date the project has distributed 1272 Nguni cows to subsistence farmers in the Province, out of which, 144 have been returned back to the project for further distribution to new beneficiaries.
Enquiries:
Bonolo Mohlakoana (Ms)
Cell: 082 901 2435
Tel: 018 389 5719
E-mail: bmohlakoana@nwpg.gov.za OR mohlakoana.bonolo@gmail.com
